Search and display U.S. patents 1790 to the present using the technology that powers Google Book Search, with the ability to scroll and zoom in on text and illustrations.
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) PATENTSCOPE Search Service enables users search fulltext of over 1.6 million published international patent applications.
Provides free patent searching of U.S. and European registrations. Benefits include patents in PDF format as well as hyperlinked classification searching.
Coverage: 1976-
Full Text: Yes
Types of Patents
There are 3 main types of patents:
Utility: for the new and useful process, machine, manufacture, the composition of matter or any new and useful improvement thereof.
Design: appearance of an item is protected. Patent must be an original design for a manufactured item.
Plant: for invented or discovered and asexually reproduced distinct and new variety of plant, including cultivated sports, mutants, hybrids, newly found seedlings, and living organisms.